Where is the Best Place to Donate Used Books? 19 Ideas
People often ask me where to donate books, but what they really want to know is how to make it easier to donate books.
The secret is to donate your books to a cause that is important to you - it takes away 90% of the stress of letting go.
There are plenty of worthwhile organizations that will be so happy to take them off of your hands.
Books tend to either be really easy or really difficult for us to let go of.
For some of us, our bookshelf might be a big part of our identify (whether or not we actually got around to reading all those books that we impulsively bought).
“Remember, the things with which we choose to surround ourselves tell our story. Let’s hope it’s not ‘I choose to live in the past,’ or ‘I can’t finish the projects I start.’ Instead, let’s aim for something like, ‘I live lightly and gracefully, with only the objects I find functional or beautiful.”
Wherever you decide to gift your books, make sure that you check their rules and guidelines to ensure that they can actually use them. No matter how well intentioned donations are, they are costly and time consuming to manage and dispose of if the wrong kind of items are gifted.
Some organizations don’t want any markings on the pages, some stipulate only recent editions of text books, and some are grateful to receive whatever you are willing to gift them.
In most cases, rather than include specific organizations that only cover certain geographical areas, this is a general list that will give you ideas of places where to donate books near you.
Your home is about to get a whole lot tidier :)
1) Library
Check your local library website for details about what books they accept. There may be restrictions of the type, age, condition, total number of books, etc. that you can donate.
These donated books are often sold on in community book sales to help generate funds for the library.
You may also be surprised at what other donation they accept. For example, our local library would love to receive lego and duplo for their children’s area.
2) Secondhand book stores
Used book stores buy books, but if you’re not interested in making any money, donating your used books to your local can be a great way to boost a circular economy and support your local book loving community.
Another option is to donate to an online secondhand book store.
3) Organizations that will pick the books from you
Convenience + being eco-friendly is a big win.
Type “pick up books for donation” into google to see if any organizations offer a pick up service in your area.
4) Buy Nothing group
I am obsessed with the Buy Nothing project.
You join a facebook group for your local area, and then can gift and be gifted items and services at no charge. It’s just lovely.
Books are always popular in our local group.
5) People you know
I’m a big fan of passing things on to loved ones …when they actually want them. I would recommend that you avoid turning up with armfuls of books without any prior notice.
Instead, you could take a photo of books you plan to donate, and send them to the family group chat to see if there are any takers.
Or if you read something that you think someone specific will love, send them the details to see if they’re interested in reading it next.
Another idea could be to post the books that are up for grabs on your Facebook feed. It could be a lovely way to reconnect with people.
6) Facebook marketplace
Another way to utilize facebook is to post the books for free on the marketplace. Unlike your local buy nothing group or your feed, this opens it up to people who don’t know, who are outside of your neighbourhood.
7) Non profit thrift store
There are likely many charity run and non-profit thrift stores in your area. I’m sure any one of them would be delighted to receive your donation.
8) For profit thrift store
I am also all for supporting for-profit thrift stores as they still support a circular economy and benefit people in our community.
The more high quality things we donate, the more people will choose to shop secondhand.
9) Book donation bins
A great option to donate if you can’t drop used books off during business hours is use a book donation bin.
Search “book donation bin near me” to see if you have one in your local area.
10) Schools, Daycares & Colleges
Education organizations may be in need of specific literature. Reach out to local schools, daycares and colleges to see if they need any used books from your collection.
11) Prison
Find your local Books to Prisoners program in the United States, Canada and the UK.
Additionally, if you’re in the US, LGBT Books to Prisoners is a great project which is trans-affirming & racial justice-focused. They do ask you to pay for shipping as they are a small organization with limited funds.
Another option in Canada is to contact Correctional Service Canada directly. Their website provides the following info:
If you wish to donate books or have any questions regarding book donations, please contact us by email via BookDonation@csc-scc.gc.ca
The general criteria for accepted book donations are as follows. Books should:
- Not be markedly old (with the exception of classic literature)
- Be in good condition (e.g., no missing pages or covers, no mold, not falling apart, and not excessively covered in writing or highlights)
- Have no attached CD-ROMs
- Not be textbooks
The most popular books in our institutions are paperback fiction novels (i.e., the type of book you might find at an airport bookstore).
If you’re in Montreal, email bookstoprisoners@gmail.com to arrange a drop-off or pick-up
If you’re in Vancouver, email books@prisonjustice.ca to make arrangements
12) Books for military
There are many organizations that focus on distributing used books to serving military personnel and their families.
13) Literacy programs
Literacy programs are a great choice if you’d like to support children and adults as they learn to read.
14) Hospitals, care homes & centres
Hospitals, retirement homes, treatment centres, long term care homes, mental health facilities, rehab centres, shelters, hospices and other local care facilities may accept book donations for their waiting areas and common rooms.
Be sure to check in with them beforehand to check what they accept, and when.
They may also take puzzles and games off of your hands too.
15) Art organizations, theatres & craft co-op
If your books are out of date and can’t be donated to be read, consider contacting local art, craft and theatrical groups to see if they can be used for projects, props or supplies.
If you’re crafty, you could use them to create gift wrap, gift tags, secret hiding places, or other handy projects.
16) Community library
Does your neighbourhood have a mini community library set up?
If not, maybe it’s a project that you could start up!
17) Host a used book Jolabokaflod
One of my favourite traditions that I’ve learned about is Jolabokaflod from Iceland.
You gift each other books on Christmas eve, and then read and eat chocolate.
You can add an eco-friendly twist by stipulating that you only gift books you already own :)
18) Bookcrossing.com
I love innovative and fun initiatives like this!
Bookcrossing.com turns letting go of your books into an magical adventure. Here’s more from their site:
BookCrossing is the act of releasing your books "into the wild" for a stranger to find, or via "controlled release" to another BookCrossing member, and tracking where they go via journal entries from around the world.
Our community of 1,929,802 passionate, generous book-lovers is changing the world and touching lives, one traveling book at a time.
19) Recycling
If you have exhausted all other avenues and decide to recycle your used books, please be aware that hardcover books, paperback books, and text books are not always recyclable.
Our local depot does not accept them, so make sure to make inquiries locally.
Tips to avoid book clutter building up again
So before anyone get antsy - a quick reminder that when I say “clutter”, I mean things you don’t use / love.
If you love all 1742 of the books in your spare room, they’re technically not clutter, so you’re off the hook :)
Here are some tips to avoid book clutter building up again:
Follow the “one in, one out” method to keep your book collection manageable
Let go of self imposed expectations - If you find yourself repeatedly putting off reading a certain book, consider if it’s time to just let go of our expectations - it can be incredibly freeing.
Start a book journal to record key points from books as you read them to make your reading more intentional and mindful. This practice also helps us process the information we’ve learned. Lastly, you’ll feel more confident about letting books go, because you know you’ll have the key information that you need.
Conclusion
You asked where to donate books to make it feel easier, and I sure hope that you found your answer here.
Reading, sharing joy and information is a beautiful thing …getting a guilt trip from a book shelf is not.
Enjoy the books you have, and donate books that no longer serve you.
Psst… are you struggling to let go of other items like sentimental things and paperwork too? I got you! Or you can find all of my minimalism posts here.
